Tunisia: Ennahdha debunks rumors purporting death of leader in prison

Ennahdha, Tunisia’s largest political party, rubbished Sunday January 21 rumors about the death of its leader Rached Ghannouchi in prison where he is serving a 10-month sentence on multiple charges.

In a communique, the party said the 82-year-old man is safe and sound, and is resisting in his cell.

The party also indicated that its leader urged enemies or opponents not to exploit the symbolism of the movement’s president, his personal situation, and conditions for abject political ends to conceal a political failure and divert attention from national affairs.

The movement also warned against the reasons behind the propagation of such rumors, and calls on the authorities in place to treat the matter with all due seriousness, and not to take the finalities lightly.

Ghannouchi, in prison since April 2023, over several charges, has been also condemned to one-year in prison for promoting terrorism.

The union of Tunisian security forces sued the political leader for promoting terrorism during the burial of Farhat Laâbar, Member of Choura Council and former Al Jazeera Tunisia Bureau Chief.
The political figure was also condemned to one-year in prison in a separate case dating back to February 2022.